Have your friends been asking if you are always sad, stressed, or tired? If they are, you might be a great fit for a blepharoplasty, also known as eyelid surgery. Here at Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Marietta, GA, we offer a highly effective treatment to help improve the look of lower eyelids and upper eyelids. Eyelid surgery is a treatment that helps you to feel more refreshed, look younger, and be happier, too. Continue reading to find out more about some eyelid surgery frequently asked questions.
Who would benefit from eyelid surgery?
Have you always wanted better-looking eyelids? Do you wish you could feel happy about your appearance as you age? If so, you would likely qualify for a blepharoplasty. Eyelid surgery is an anti-aging procedure. We use this treatment for those who have permanent bags beneath their eyes. This long-lasting treatment is also a great way to tighten and lift saggy, droopy skin on the upper eyelids.
Another amazing thing about this treatment is that it is used to get rid of excess fat, muscle tissue, or skin that is causing you problems. However, it is important to know that to qualify for this treatment, you must be in good health. To determine whether you qualify, we will have you come to our office for the initial evaluation. During this evaluation, we will do an assessment to talk about your cosmetic visions, look at the skin around your eyes, and learn more about your health (past and current).
What are some conditions that may disqualify you from getting a blepharoplasty?
Unfortunately, we must ensure people who get this treatment are in good health. This means there are some medical conditions that will disqualify a patient for a blepharoplasty. For instance, do you have heart disease or another heart problem that requires you to use blood thinners every day? If so, you won’t qualify for this treatment.
The reason for this disqualification is that anyone who gets a blepharoplasty will need to quit using blood thinners for multiple days before we provide the treatment, so they can have a faster recovery. However, for most people with heart conditions, it wouldn’t be safe for them to stop taking the blood thinners. Another reason you might not qualify for blepharoplasty is if you are ill.
If you have an infection, you should wait for a minimum of 14 days after the infection is cleared up, to get this treatment. Your body will need energy to safely get through the recovery process. If you already have an infection or just recently got over an infection, your body won’t be able to do that. In addition, you should have the treatment postponed if you are currently pregnant or if you breastfeed.
Why are my eyelids drooping and sagging?
There are many factors that cause people’s eyelids to droop and sag. Some of these factors include:
- Hereditary traits
- Sun damage
- Alcohol consumption
- Tobacco consumption
- Unhealthy diet
If you relate to these factors, you may be able to determine why your eyelids are drooping and sagging.
Changes to your skin
As people get older, their eyelids are often the first to experience symptoms of aging. This is because the skin on and around the eyes is very thin and delicate. In fact, the skin on the upper eyelid is the most sensitive and fragile part of the human body.
As people age, the proteins and fibers in their skin get significantly weaker. Also, the sun’s UVC rays further damage these proteins and fibers. As they get weaker, your eyelid skin becomes even more fragile, making it looser and less elastic. Over time, gravity will force your eyelids to sag and droop, as well.
Changes in muscles and other body tissues
Skin tissue is not the only body tissue that changes as you get older. Around the eye region, there is fat and other muscle tissues that change over time, too. A thin membrane called the orbital septum separates layers of muscle tissues and fat from the skin on your eyelid. Unfortunately, this membrane will break down as you get older and cause the muscles in this area to get weaker.
The fat below your eyelids will shift as the orbital septum weakens. When this happens, you may develop bags under your eyes that won’t go away, no matter how much skincare product you use, what diet you have, or how much quality sleep you get. You may also have shifting of the skin over your eyes. This can make your eyes and the skin around them look puffy.
How do I prepare for the blepharoplasty treatment?
As noted above, it is vital that you aren’t taking any supplements or drugs that thin the blood for at least a few days before this treatment. This will include fish oil supplements and ibuprofen. You can also get a list of other medications and supplements to avoid before your treatment from our office. With this being said, there are other preparations to keep in mind before your blepharoplasty.
For example, you should not consume tobacco or alcohol for at least a few days before the scheduled treatment date. Alcohol and tobacco have chemicals in them that raise blood pressure. This can negatively affect your treatment. Those chemicals can make your recovery slower and more difficult.
Do I need to fast before the eyelid surgery?
Our team will inform you during the initial consultation whether you will need to stop eating at a certain time before the blepharoplasty. If you choose to receive local anesthetic that numbs the area, we will provide the sedative to help you relax throughout the treatment. You won’t have to fast to receive the sedative.
General anesthesia will numb the area and your entire body. You will be sleeping during the procedure. You will need to fast if you choose to have general anesthesia instead of the local anesthetic. This will ensure the treatment is done smoothly. You should stop eating at least eight hours before your scheduled treatment time. After you stop eating, you can have clear liquids such as water and coconut water. Two hours before the blepharoplasty you should stop drinking entirely.
What benefits could I get from an upper blepharoplasty?
When receiving the upper blepharoplasty, it could help to get rid of puffiness in the eyelids. It does this by removing excess skin and fat tissue. It could also help with the following:
- Improve the look around your eyes
- Tighten saggy or loose skin and muscle tissues
- Boost your confidence
If you connect with these benefits, you may want to reach out to our team to schedule an upper blepharoplasty.
All these benefits are accomplished by making little incisions in folds around your upper eyelids. The incisions are so tiny that nobody will notice them as your recover. You won’t need to be concerned with scarring either. After we remove the excess tissue, we tighten the skin and muscles. Then, we close the incisions with sutures. After the treatment is complete, we apply healing ointment to help the recovery process. A bandage will be placed over the area, as well.
How long does blepharoplasty recovery take?
The length of this recovery process depends on various factors, such as:
- Self-care during the recovery
- Scope of the treatment
- Use of healing ointment at home
If you have further questions regarding the length of recovery, let us know.
Keep in mind that the more skin that needs to be removed, the longer the recovery process might take. However, the recovery duration could potentially be shortened by practicing excellent self-care when you go home. Each person’s recovery time can vary from others. However, we would like to note that most people will recover in one to two weeks.
How could I shorten the length of my recovery?
Our team will talk to you during the initial consultation about how you can practice great self-care in your recovery. We will talk to you about the recovery instructions after the anesthetic wears off from the treatment, too. However, for now, we would like to note some crucial things you can do to speed up your recovery time. These things include:
- Wearing sunscreen
- Putting on a brimmed hat when outdoors
- Keep hydrated
These tips will help to heal the area and keep it safe during the recovery process.
We also highly recommend that you sleep on an elevated pillow. This helps to put your head over your heart which improves healing time, as well.
How soon will final results from the treatment be seen?
Results from this type of treatment aren’t seen right away. You will need to be patient throughout the healing process. However, as noted above, the healing process doesn’t generally take more than a week or maybe two. In about 14 days, you should see significant improvements. In about six months, you should see the final results of the blepharoplasty.
How long do those final results last?
Most people receive long-lasting results from the blepharoplasty. For instance, when we take excess fat off, that fat will be gone. However, the exact length of the results does depend on the scope of the original treatment. If you chose to have a lower blepharoplasty done, you won’t need to have a follow-up. However, if you have an upper blepharoplasty, you might need to have a follow-up done in about 10 to 15 years from the first one.
Learn more today about whether you should get a blepharoplasty
Are you worried about the look of your eyelids? If so, you may qualify for this eyelid surgery. However, we would like to speak with you about your cosmetic goals and health history to determine if this treatment is right for you. To ensure your health is up to par for this treatment and to find out if we can help you achieve your cosmetic goals, reach out to us today.
Schedule the initial consultation for a blepharoplasty at our Georgia Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery center in Marietta, GA today. We are happy to serve Marietta, GA and the surrounding areas. We are looking forward to helping you achieve all your cosmetic goals.
